FISHING AT TAUPO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 8

FISHING AT TAUPO.

« best IN THE WOBLD."

ENTHUSIASTIC AMERICANS. j SPORT IN THE TONGARIRO. ENDLESS SUPPLY OF RAINBOWS. Enthusiastic accounts of the trout fishjnq conditions for the past month in the Tongariro River were given last evening by Messrs. ,T. Cox Webb and F. K. Burnham, of California, on their return to Auckland from a fishing expedition to Lake Taupo. It is stated that the Tongariro River has cleared after the recent rains, and with the trout commencing to definitely " run " from the deep waters of the lake into the upper reaches of the river, fish are being taken in largfe numbers. Practically every rod is accounting for the limit to each rod of 25 trout daily. Within a distance of a few miles good fishing of various sorts can be erjoyed. "The Tongariro River is without a doubt the most beautiful and satisfying river in the world for trout fishermen," isaid Mr. Webb. " Such quantities of giant rainbows I never hoped to find. In various parts of America a number of us club together and run a private fishing lodge and have exclusive rights to a certain length of stream. To preserve the stock and the number of trout, we invariably return to the stream all the trout we catch, but in the Tongariro it seems there is an endless supply of your giant rainbows. Comparisons With America. "It was startling to me at first, after our American experiences, to watch the way in which the huge catches were simply wasted, but I am told that the fish must be killed to keep the lake from overstocking. During the first vreeks of our stay the fishing was very inconsistent, due .to the swollen and silty state of the river after the heavy rains. However, things soon began to pick up. Day after day the catches by all the anglers in camp grew larger in number, and as the fish came up river from the lake they could be takeu practically anywhere." "In most of the American streams," said Mr. Burnham, " the water runs from bank to bank, and as the banks are often abrupt, we have to fight the trout for a fair length of time a:nd land them with a net. But in the Tongariro, with the numbers of breaks in the river caused by fast runs, and where the river changes its course after a heavy rainfall and runs over flat stretches with no banks, we were able to beach the fish sometimes before the trout was actually licked.

"Most 01 ou. trout we landed in, say, 10 minutes, but the same fish in an American stream would have taken us 30 minutes to land. It was great sport. We spent 26 days in camp and averaged about eight fish, of an average weight of seven and a-half pounds, each ds.y. We had the most luck in the Log and the Downes Pools. The Gun Fool and the lower end of the Lower Hutt Pcol were also excellent. We were quite content with about five hours' fishing each day." Heavy and Light Tackle.

" I think it is worth speaking about our gear," added Mr. Webb, " although it seems that comment about tackle is not appreciated, especially from. Americans, but while in camp at the Tonga,riro we had a most interesting time exchanging opinions about gear with the various local - and overseas sportsmen in camp. We use nine and a-half feet split cane rods, weighing only six and a quarter ounces. Wading out into the river we ware able to throw a fly just as far as the men could who used 14ft. 20 ounce rods. On the lighter tackle, of course, we had thrilling fights with the fish. Many of the men using the'heavier gear became interested in our methods and actually spent many days using our rods under our tuition. Before I left the cump, a number of the anglers, hitherto heavygear enthusiasts, asked me to have light rod-, made up for them. Naturally we do not consider that light tackle is the only, and fairest, tackle; but I will wager that if heavy tackle users tried the light, they would be amazed at the fun it provides. With the light tackle, every movement of the fish can be instantly felt. "We found sizes five and six in flies the most suitable, and we changed from the one to the other with the variation in the conditions. The most successful flies during our stay were the turkey and red, Jock Scott, thunder and lightning, golden demon, and various matuka flies. Except in the tail end of the pools, where the water is usually not fast, the trout seemed to take the fly on the drag. Very few of the fish took the fly a second or two after the drop. After the English and American conditions, this catching of trout on the drag is more or less on a par with bait fishing." Accommodation at Camps.

Neither Mr. Webb nor Mr. Burnham were inclined to speak regarding the accommodation afc the camps. They hinted that what already had been said was correct. "Changes and improvements are anticipated," they said, "and if the* fresh water and deep-sea sporting camps cater for wealthy visitors they should do good business, and attract, overseas people in greater numbers. Obviously it raises the standard of the spoifc, and places it beyond the means of the average New Zealander, but the question boils down to, 'Do you want wealthy overseas sportsmen, or do you not V You have the most remarkable sportsmen's paradise in the world. Are you going to use it as an attraction for overseas people ? IE you are, the wants and the wishes of people accustomed to comfort must be studied. "It is not the slightest use expending money in America, for instance : , for attracting Americans to New Zealand if they are to be ridiculed when they expect just a bit more than a tin bucket to wash in and one towel a week for thirty shillings a day board. Many of the overseas visitors may be wealthy, but they are not fools. They may be stung once. It is a food moral to never be stung by the same ee twice." THE TO2JGARIRO RIVER. GREAT SUCCESS OF ANGLERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 TOKAANU. Friday. As the result of heavy rains the Tongariro River, to the delight of numbeirs of anglers, is now teeming with trout. Good bags are numerous and these include jiome big fish. The fish are in excellent condition and afford excellent sport. A number of overseas anglers who paid visits early in the season have now returned, and'their praise of the sport is high. A la.-ge number of anglers will be visiting these waters during the Easter period. Mr. Zaije Grey, Captain Mitchell and party arrived here on Wednesday and intend to spend about six weeks' fishing. , They will use considerably lighter tackle * than most visiting anglers. Already a number of American anglers have vij.ited the district and next season is expected to Bhow a large increase in their numbers.